Celina Gonzales, 6, receives a kiss from Shamu while others look on on SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day April 15, 1988.

Celina Gonzales, 6, receives a kiss from Shamu while others look on on SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day April 15, 1988.

Photo: File Photo / Express-News

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The opening day crowd for SeaWorld San Antonio heads for the Shamu Show April 15, 1988.

The opening day crowd for SeaWorld San Antonio heads for the Shamu Show April 15, 1988.

Photo: File Photo / Express-News

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Fiesta 1988 - Stacy Bash and the SeaWorld float during the Battle of Flowers Parade.

Fiesta 1988 - Stacy Bash and the SeaWorld float during the Battle of Flowers Parade.

Photo: EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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A crowd of Thousands of people jammed the front gate of Seaworld of Texas during the grand opening of the site. The 250 acre marine park opened to the public with speeches from Texas Governor Bill Clemens and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros. PHOTO BY DENNIS DUNLEAVY / STAFF 5/28/1988

A crowd of Thousands of people jammed the front gate of Seaworld of Texas during the grand opening of the site. The 250 acre marine park opened to the public with speeches from Texas Governor Bill Clemens and

Mayor Henry Cisneros with SeaWorld CEO George Becker and Southwest Airlines Chairman Herb Kelleher are shown during the inaugural season for San Antonio’s SeaWorld park on May 23, 1988.

Mayor Henry Cisneros with SeaWorld CEO George Becker and Southwest Airlines Chairman Herb Kelleher are shown during the inaugural season for San Antonio’s SeaWorld park on May 23, 1988.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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Nov. 26, 1988: Baby Shamu born.

Nov. 26, 1988: Baby Shamu born.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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April 15, 1988: SeaWorld San Antonio's opening day.

April 15, 1988: SeaWorld San Antonio's opening day.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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For nearly 30 years, SeaWorld has been part of many childhood memories in San Antonio: from getting soaked by Shamu splashes, to feeding stinky fish to sea lions and rolling through the park in dolphin strollers. less

For nearly 30 years, SeaWorld has been part of many childhood memories in San Antonio: from getting soaked by Shamu splashes, to feeding stinky fish to sea lions and rolling through the park in dolphin ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Shamu and Sea World have captivated audiences in San Antonio since its first opening in 1988.

Shamu and Sea World have captivated audiences in San Antonio since its first opening in 1988.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Left to right: George Becker (Sea World CEO), Herb Kelleher (Chairman of Southwest Airlines) and Mayor Henry Cisneros (May 1988)

Left to right: George Becker (Sea World CEO), Herb Kelleher (Chairman of Southwest Airlines) and Mayor Henry Cisneros (May 1988)

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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A trainer surges with Shamu.

A trainer surges with Shamu.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Animal rights activists have protested against Sea World since its first year in 1988.

Animal rights activists have protested against Sea World since its first year in 1988.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Roy Goldman, with blueprints, discusses construction plans with other workers and Sea World officials at the site of the amusement park in 1986.

Roy Goldman, with blueprints, discusses construction plans with other workers and Sea World officials at the site of the amusement park in 1986.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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The construction of Cypress Garden at Sea world (1987).

The construction of Cypress Garden at Sea world (1987).

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Under construction in this photo, the Big Wheel opened in July 1988.

Under construction in this photo, the Big Wheel opened in July 1988.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Anchoring the Sea World blimp at Stinson Airport, 1987.

Anchoring the Sea World blimp at Stinson Airport, 1987.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Workers paint one of the sets for Sea World (1988).

Workers paint one of the sets for Sea World (1988).

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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On opening day, May 28, 1988, Sea World's parking lots were only two-thirds full, but some impatient drivers preferred to park along 151 near Westover, rather than snake into the lot with the rest of the cars. less

On opening day, May 28, 1988, Sea World's parking lots were only two-thirds full, but some impatient drivers preferred to park along 151 near Westover, rather than snake into the lot with the rest of the ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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This undated photo with a little brother in the dolphin stroller could be in any one family album.

This undated photo with a little brother in the dolphin stroller could be in any one family album.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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"Lady Bird" Johnson admires the statue of her late husband, President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1988).

"Lady Bird" Johnson admires the statue of her late husband, President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1988).

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Shamu and killer whale trainer Jim Clarke perform a behavior known as "spyhop."

Shamu and killer whale trainer Jim Clarke perform a behavior known as "spyhop."

Ronald Southhall, 5, meets Starbuck the dolphin with the help of trainer Mark Boucher (1988).

Ronald Southhall, 5, meets Starbuck the dolphin with the help of trainer Mark Boucher (1988).

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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With his brother at the helicopter controls, Michaelangelo Nock hangs from his neck in a daring routine of aerial acrobatics, Independence Weekend 1988.

With his brother at the helicopter controls, Michaelangelo Nock hangs from his neck in a daring routine of aerial acrobatics, Independence Weekend 1988.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Sea World San Antonio, through the years

Sea World San Antonio, through the years

Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, San Antonio Express-News

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SeaWorld celebrated its 50th anniversary Friday, March 21, and we've compiled memorable moments since the San Antonio park opened 26 years ago. Click through the photos to see the following moments in photos.

SeaWorld celebrated its 50th anniversary Friday, March 21, and we've compiled memorable moments since the San Antonio park opened 26 years ago. Click through the photos to see the following moments in photos.

Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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April 15, 1988:

SeaWorld San Antonio's opening day.

April 15, 1988:

SeaWorld San Antonio's opening day.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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Nov. 26, 1988:

Baby Shamu born.

Nov. 26, 1988:

Baby Shamu born.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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1991:

Texas Splashdown and Rio Loco open, becoming the first rides at any SeaWorld park.

1991:

Texas Splashdown and Rio Loco open, becoming the first rides at any SeaWorld park.

A six-year-old boy drowns in the wave pool at Lost Lagoon. His parents later sued the park for negligence, and the jury awarded $250,000 for the boy's pain and suffering, and $800,000 to each parent for negligence. However, the boy's parents were also found negligent, and because the father was found 75% negligent, he would not receive his share of the award. The mother was found equally negligent to SeaWorld.

A six-year-old boy drowns in the wave pool at Lost Lagoon. His parents later sued the park for negligence, and the jury awarded $250,000 for the boy's pain and suffering, and $800,000 to each parent for

The Great White opens, becoming the first roller coaster at any SeaWorld park.

1997:

The Great White opens, becoming the first roller coaster at any SeaWorld park.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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1999:

A second roller coaster, the Steel Eel, opens.

1999:

A second roller coaster, the Steel Eel, opens.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News

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2000:

Eighteen life-size bronze statues of notable Texans from the park's 'Texas Walk' collection are donated to the city of San Antonio.

2000:

Eighteen life-size bronze statues of notable Texans from the park's 'Texas Walk' collection are donated to the city of San Antonio.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News File Photo

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2002:

Winnie, a female killer whale who had performed at the park since 1999, died; her age was estimated at 26 years. Pathologists from Brooks AFB were brought in to help determine a cause of death, which was believed to be from numerous items she'd ingested that blocked her upper gastrointestinal tract.

Winnie, a female killer whale who had performed at the park since 1999, died; her age was estimated at 26 years. Pathologists from Brooks AFB were brought in to help determine a cause of death, which was

Instead of playing a concert at the park, rocker Bret Michaels, has an emergency appendectomy at a local hospital. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment lays off about 350 employees, including 17 in San Antonio.

New killer whale show, "One Ocean," debuts. Trainers are no longer in the water with the whales, following SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau's death the previous year. The whale Tilikum had dragged her underwater by the ponytail. The Texas Splashdown log flume ride is retired.

New killer whale show, "One Ocean," debuts. Trainers are no longer in the water with the whales, following SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau's death the previous year. The whale Tilikum had dragged

Ricardo Corpus, a 17-year air conditioning specialist at SeaWorld, dies when he's electrocuted while working on an air conditioning unit; his wife later sued the company. The 20-acre Aquatica water park opens.

Ricardo Corpus, a 17-year air conditioning specialist at SeaWorld, dies when he's electrocuted while working on an air conditioning unit; his wife later sued the company. The 20-acre Aquatica water park

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. The documentary "Blackfish" opens in theaters. It condemns SeaWorld for keeping killer whales in captivity, but the company has criticized it as slanted and misleading and says it had minimal effects on attendance.

Two of seven people accused of breaking into SeaWorld overnight said they did so as part of a fraternity initiation. They had been ordered to take pictures with the animals after dark. Roa’s Aviary, which will house 330 exotic birds, is set to open in Aquatica, the water park.

To celebrate the anniversary, the park is offering $30 single day tickets — a savings of more than 50 percent — which can be purchased online until May 13. The ticket is valid until June 30, 2018, according to the park's website.

According to San Antonio Express-News archives, the park was originally planned as an underwater restaurant. It's now one of three SeaWorld locations in the country and is the "world's largest marine life park," with 416 acres, according to the website.

See what the opening day looked like in the gallery above.

Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye